Strange Meeting In The Woods

Deep within the trees, a dark shadow flits..and settles. A pool of darkness spreads beneath the tree, drawing together until a elfmaid in dark silk stands looking about. She smiles, seeing the scout below her on the hillside, and begins to pick her way down the slope..

Dunnelor seems to move along a track in a halfcrouched position, always attentive if something would come up.. He stops and hides slightly behind a rock and some trees as he see the woman coming down the small path. You can see his puzzled expression and his arm still rests with the bow though as he sees that it is an elven woman. He rises slowly with a faint smile and surprise on his lips..

Thuringwethil draws a dark shawl close about her shoulders, the fabric floating a bit behind her. She glances to both sides of the path as though searching for something, coming near Dunnelor's hiding place without giving any sign she has seen him.

The woman of shadows, a delicate elfmaid, stands before you.. midnight hair moves about her..the tresses across her shoulder reaching to her waist. Her eyes..pools of starlit darkness..high cheekbones accent the pale skin.. A gown of deepest black, the bodice velvet..the flowing skirt of heavy silk.

As the elf comes nearer you can see that Dun's expression turns more into suspicion. Elves normally don't wear black? He remains stationed in his hidden place but he would not be to hard to see.. One could almost exchange him for an foul minion of the dark side, as he is all muddy and torn, his face having large black streaks with dirt..

Thuringwethil's hair blows across her face and she reaches up to push it back as she comes even with Dunn's hiding place..glancing to the side she sees the Adan and steps back as though startled..drawing the shawl closer.."I.. " she says, the words failing, "You..I did not see" and she turns as though to dart into the brush beside the path..

Dunnelor steps out from his shadow and hideout and he lowers the bow as he is somewhat confused. An elf woman out here? He straps the bow to his back and says in a weathertorn voice "Yes.. you were not supposed to either.. what are you doing here?" he asks rather frankly and you can see that one hand still remains at the dagger at his side.

The elf maid steps into the shadows, the dark dress blending, her white face alone showing clearly.."I was seeking the elves..the ones at Menelmarcar.." She says, obviously uneasy, her hand resting at her waist where a small silver dagger peeks from a scabbard. "I was travelling..and my escort was ambushed..they spirited me to the woods..and sent me on." She bites her lip.."I do not know what happened..to them.." She then looks at him, suspicion showing on her face.."You..who are you?" and she steps further off the trail..

Dunnelors hand moves from the small hilt of the knife to rest on the belt. He looks at your face, caught by its whiteness for a while. He draws away his look and smiles as you place your hand at the hilt of your own dagger. Then he asks "Elves, from where? How come they are this far up north? The travelling rout lies some miles south.." he pauses for a moment "Who I am is of none importance.." he cuts the question off..

Thuringwethil shakes her head, "I am unfamiliar..I do not know where I started." She looks back up the path and around at the trees.."The trees are much the same, I just ran." She looks at Dunn, "Perhaps you are in league with them, I have come full circle.." and she shifts her feet..her fingers curling around the dagger's hilt..as though ready to flee..

Dunnelor shrugs as he takes a step away from you "Perhaps, perhaps not.. but one thing I know is the way to Menelmacar.. and I can tell you that I am a mere scout.. not a foul creature of the dark lord.." he seems to spit out the last words. Then he offers a smile and his face shift into a more kind and soft expression "I am sure you are tired.."

Thuringwethil tilts her head, studying his face. "I would not run from them, only to be caught." and her feet shuffle in the leaves.."but I do not sense evil in you." and she moves a step forward, "I am worn with fleeing." She says, the words low. "Could you tell me of these elves and of the city? I have not been there..only heard a little about them." She leans as though exhausted against the trunk of the nearest tree, her dark eyes looking at Dunnelor..

Dunnelor listens quietly at your words then he nods as something was dropped from his shoulders. He nods to you a gestures "Sit down, please, I think I have some water and dried meat in my backpack.. He slips behind a bush and comes out again with those things. He hands you the water "Not anything fancy but it gives energy.." he settles himself beside you along another tree. "Ah.. the city of Menelmacar. Tis been some time since I last was there.. tis a beautiful city and the elves there are really lovely.." he seems to pass into a slight dream but he comes back "Tis.. hmm.. about forty miles from here.."

Thuringwethil slides down, sitting against the tree ..her back against the trunk. She reaches hesitantly..then with a smile takes the water..and the meat. "You are kind to a stranger, I appreciate it much.." She opens the waterskin, drinking delicately.. then lays it aside. Nibbling the meat she listens.."40 miles..a long ways yet. What does it look like, the city? I have thought on that.." She says softly, "as I wandered.."

Dunnelor nods as he closes his eyes for a second and then he turns back to look upon you. He frowns and seems to look back in his memory "Tis hard to describe.. you know the kind of your people. They make things that are too beautiful to describe with words.." he sighs and takes a deep breath. "I believe King Finrod is there now.. visiting.. but it was quite some time since I last was there.. I am in a search for something.." he hmms and doesn't approach that subject very much

Thuringwethil nibbles at the meat, her eyes still on Dunnelor. "I have heard that name, Finrod..he visits there? There is another F..I can't recall, that rules that land?" she asks, her eyes glittering at the news.."I would wonder what YOU search for as well?"

Dunnelor hmms and nods "Fingolfin?" he shrugs "I do not know then names of all the kings and lords.. as I said I am just a mere scout.." he smiles and looks at your eyes for a moment then his look fall back "I am in search for someone.." his words trail off as he mutters a curse "Someone who did a friend of mine something very bad.."

Thuringwethil looks serious, "That sounds very serious friend hurt? You know who you seek?" she asks, her look curious.."I saw no one on my way here, but I did not travel on the road." She takes the water bottle and opens it once more..looking at him over it as she sips

Dunnelor shrugs as he gestures at the lands "Well, he certainly went this way.. probably direct to the nest of evil.. I believe he is called Clah or something.." he looks at the upcoming sun and smiles. "But I fare that I dare not to journey longer soon.. tis to dangerous.." he sighs and gestures to the mountains "We have to pass through there to get to Menelmacar.."

Thuringwethil looks towards the mountains, "We must pass those?" her voice sounding tired, "I will not look forward to that walk. You seek for a someone, I would not take you from the trail. Is it safe for me to go alone from here to Menelmacar? I may travel more slowly than you would wish." She sighs..

Dunnelor laughs suddenly "No.. my search can rest for some time. I doubt it that you will come in a whole piece if you enter the mountains.. Tis far to the mountains and many dangers are ahead.. but if I guide you.." he smiles and nods "The one I seek I fare is already long gone. I left in search of him to late.. his tracks are gone.."

Thuringwethil nods, "He has escaped then? Or so you think? What evil did this one do? You say a friend? " she leans against the tree, her hands now in her lap and listens. "Why do you think he comes from the dark one?" She looks into the trees..a short, sharp chittering..and a tiny dark form flitters in the shadows of the trees..

Dunnelor nods as he takes a sip from another waterskin. He places a hand on the bow and sharply look at the trees. He searches the forest for a while but doesn't find anything so his look turns back to you "He is long gone from what I can tell.. he seduced(?) and tried to fool her away.. or.. well, anyway he is somewhat a mystery.."

Thuringwethil shakes her head, "This one..tried to 'steal' your friend? Evil he must be." and she almost smiles, but turns it to a frown.."Why would he want a human? Did you know.."

Dunnelor shrugs and nods "Who knows? Perhaps to twist into some hideous creature of his lords.. but he never got that far. Some guardsmen encountered them and wounded the man.. perhaps that will lead me to him.." he hmms as a wind blows through the desolate landscape. "But tell me more about yourself? From wherehence do you come?"

The elf looks uneasy, 'Where..from the south..we.." she smiles, "I think you would not know my people, I seek friends in Menelmacar. I hope to settle there, perhaps." She looks about, "You scout..you travel here often then? You know much of this land?" and she lays the water bottle in her lap aside..

Dunnelor hmms and considers the things you have said. He hmms a bit as you don't really mention where you come from but he do not take it up since you not seem to want to talk about it. "I travel here quite much yes.. And I know of this land.. have traveled much here when the Yrch held this land.." he smiles "But they are gone now.."

Her eyes widen, "The Yrch were here..right here?" and her hand moves to the knife handle, as though afraid. "You say they are gone? Where to..and how did you send them away?" She looks along the path, "I wonder about the world..like this land. I would be pleased if you would tell me more of it..the paths and such?

Dunnelor nods as he eats some meat and wipes some dirt from his face. "Well they passed here an hour ago, a small patrol.. I just hide in the woods.. they are very blind sometimes.. but they passed on north. Seemed to be in rather hurry.." he shrugs "I would have killed them all but I would get less out of doing so that letting them go.." he smiles a bit "The paths? Oh, those are hard to describe.. you need to walk them and find them to learn them.. there are very many paths mellon.." he smiles and looks up "Yet I have not heard your name being mentioned? May I ask for it?"

Thuringwethil looks down at her lap, "I am ..Shadoe, I am called by those who would know me." she says, her voice dropping. "You have not said what I may call you?" she smiles, though her eyes seem more curious than happy. "I shall have no chance I think to walk these paths, but wonder where they lead. The one we travel, does it lead anywhere besides the city?"

Dunnelor smiles and offers a brief bow to you "Good day to you then Shadoe(w)?. I go by the name Dunnelor for those who know me.." he gestures to the south with the end of the bow "There is the path leading.. we must change paths many times to get to Menelmacar.. tis no easy way.."

Thuringwethil nods at his words, then looks down the path, leaning forward from where she sits.."A long walk it would seem. How long does it take to walk so far? I am not sure of the distances.." she says, "Many paths? all of them going somewhere then? Where else can be reached from here, by these paths?"

Dunnelor smiles "Twill take some about a week perhaps.. if we keep a slow and steady pace.." he hmms and thinks for a while "You can reach everything and nothing.. most leads to Mithrim though, or Dorthonion.. also one that leads through the swamps.. but that is very dangerous" he sighs and nods "But many are treacherous and would lead into certain death.."

Thuringwethil she draws in a breath, "The Swamps? Where do they lie? I should not like to wander there by accident." she tilts her head.."Dorthonion? This is the land of Beor?" glancing in the different directions, "Which direction does it lie?" she asks..her expression interested and curious.

Dunnelor smiles and gestures with the bow "I shouldn't confuse you will all this.." but he points south "There lies the Swamps of Serech.. awful at sight and even worse at smell.. To the east is Dorthonion, land of the woods.." he hmms "Yes, the land of the beor.. and strong they are.." he smiles and thinks back at some memory..

Thuringwethil nods, "I have heard this name, Dorthonion and a few of those who dwell there. Hathal..I do not know it all, and a woman..her chosen name begins as does the king.. Fin? You know these humans as well?" Her voice dropping almost to a whisper.."I know little.."

Dunnelor nods "Hathaldir and Finnabair.. they are great fighters among the Dorthonions.. well, some year ago I dwelled there for a time.. but I do that no longer.. I know them.. but I don't think they remember me after all this time" he laughs "I believe that Hathaldir has killed more yrch than anyone.."

Her eyes widening, the elf looks shocked. "Truly? He seeks them out, to kill them? I did not think the adan so..bloodthirsty?" her eyes glitter darkly, "Tell me of these 'humans'? What are they like? How do they look? I have seen few."

Dunnelor laughs and shrugs "They look much like me.. but they are more dark in their hair and such.. Oh, he just defends the borders.. he is not that bloodthirsty, but I would not wish to meet him in a fight.." his eyes lingering a bit on yours then they look away again "Maybe you will se some when you arrive in Menelmacar.. I have heard that some of them are there.."

Thuringwethil nods, "I would like to meet them, to know more of them. The Dorthoninons are to be in Menelmacar? They do not live that near, do they? They have journeyed to be there?" She smiles, "I as many questions, but it is only that I know so little." She smooths the dark skirts, her hands sliding across the silk with a swishing sound.. and from somewhere in the trees.. as small sound is heard..as of tiny wings unfolding, then folding tight once more..

Dunnelor listens carefully and he turns to look along the treeline again to see if something is there... He hms and mutters something but turns back to you "Yes, I heard that some of them were there about a month ago.. but they have probably left by now.. They life some distance off in the east but.. they drop by now and then,," he smiles

Thuringwethil nods, "Tis good when those we know 'drop by'." the words soft, "They live to the east you say? What trail would one take to go there? Will we be on it as well?

Dunnelor shakes his head "No, we will go along the mountains.. never really come near those paths.." he looks up in sky and hmms a bit. "But they mostly are in their own homeland.. they have to guard it well.. the viscous yrch is always near there.." he sighs and nods "Perhaps I shall visit them soon.."

Thuringwethil tilts her head, "Perhaps, if I am still here, I might travel with you? To see this land, and meet these people?" she leans back against the tree, "You have seen much it seems."

Dunnelor nods a bit and leans back, relaxed "Yes.. I have seen much. Both good and bad.." he sighs and drifts into slight memory and you can see him looking down at his scars for a second then back at you. "Well, I now these northern parts quite well.. but when I travel below the Fen I am a bit more uncertain.."

Below the Fens? That is the Dorthonion lands? What else lies there?" she asks, the words still curious. She pulls her feet up beneath the skirt, resting her hands in her lap. "There are many lands I do not know.

Dunnelor nods and hmms "That is a strip some ways south of here.. Many yrch tended to linger there but.." he smiles and shoots you a glance again "Excuse my staring but you wear black clothes my lady.. That is rarely seen among the elf kind.." he smiles gently

Thuringwethil looks down, "Ahh..the black.." she shrugs, "It is a fancy of mine, unusual and different." she smiles, "My changes, I left behind. I am sorry if you find it...strange, or unsettling?" She smooths the heavy silk skirt, pulling the shawl a little closer about her shoulders. It blends almost like yours.." she says, almost in passing.."With the woods, the shadows."

Dunnelor smiles and nods "Yes.. its is blends in very good.. I didnt see you at first, only heard some annoying crow or something, flapping their wings.." he smiles again and listens for sounds then he says "Not unsettling, just unusual.."

Thuringwethil smiles, "A strange sound you describe. I did not hear it, but I came quickly down the path." she says, "Sometimes, it is wise to blend into ones surroundings, I was glad of it before." and she looks back up the path as though to where she came earlier.

Dunnelor hmms and nods "Well, do you wish to rest or shall we move right away?" he asks as he slowly begins to rise to stand up. "We have a long journey ahead of us.." he smiles and looks about for a while and then he straps the bow to his back..

A sharp chittering sound is heard and a small black creature darts towards Dunnelor. As it nears it rises higher, swooping through the trees..

"I think I should travel now.." The voice seeming to grow higher as the words end.

The elf reaches out..and up..her arms raised as in intercession.. A darkness forms above her arms, flowing down, gathering round her..until she can no longer be seen...a swirling motion..towards the outside..it seems..a soft leather..and as the swirling slows and stops..a creature with wide wings and a foxlike face... The vampire leaps...flaps the leathered wings..and rises into the sky.. The wings darkening the path below her, Thuringwethil speeds away..new knowledge hers..

Heavy dark fur covers this creature.. large ears spread to every sound, glittering black eyes glare from the face..a blunt snout splits wide to reveal gleaming white fangs ...The creature's body is squat, the legs crooked and taloned.. From the shoulders, stretch wide wings..like black leather with a soft shine... At the central joint..the wing swings back..allowing this joint..and the hand like claws..metallic they seem..to reach and grasp almost as an arm and hand..

Dunnelor gets caught by the suprise and trips backwards, falling down on his bottom. He stares in horror and awe, you do not know which but he raises a hand to protect his eyes from the sun. And then he calls out something but its unhearable..